National Sports Late rally lifts San Francisco

Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, OR — Wayback)

2001-11-23

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--> --> Late rally lifts San Francisco ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Manager Dusty Baker stopped short of calling it San Francisco's best win of the season. "It qualified as one of the most exciting," Baker said after the Giants came back to beat the Texas Rangers 7-6 Sunday night. "These have been tough for us to get." Livan Hernandez (7-11) rebounded for the victory after allowing the first three batters to get hits and score, Calvin Murray hit a go-ahead single in the sixth and Robb Nen held on for the save against the heart of the Texas order. After Alex Rodriguez led off the ninth with an infield single, he stole second and then Rafael Palmeiro walked. "You have to continue to think, `This isn't going to happen,"' Baker said. It didn't. Nen then struck out Ivan Rodriguez and Ruben Sierra before getting Mike Lamb to fly out for his NL-leading 28th save in 33 opportunities. Murray's go-ahead single came on the first pitch thrown by reliever Pat Mahomes. Ramon Martinez, the Giants' No. 9 hitter, had just tied it at 6 with an RBI double off Darren Oliver (7-5). "It was nice to pick up that run, and better in front and friends that have watched me growing up," said Murray, who was born and still lives in Texas during the offseason. He had about 30 people watching him. "This was an awesome win. We battled hard and fought throughout the game," he said. Barry Bonds finished 0-for-4, including a flyout to the warning track in left-center field to end the sixth with two runners on. Even with just one homer in 17 games, Bonds has 40 in 92 games, the same total Mark McGwire had in 1998 when he hit a record 70. Hernandez (7-11) allowed the first three Texas batters to get hits and score. But he lasted seven innings and got the win despite giving up six runs and 10 hits. Felix Rodriguez pitched the eighth, lowering his ERA to 1.80 in 45 appearances this season before Nen took over. "It was perfect. Felix and Robb came in and did a great job," Hernandez said. "I've been throwing good and I'm feeling better. Let's see what happens in the second half." Oliver lost his third straight start, a stretch during which he has allowed 22 hits and 17 earned runs in 16 innings. He gave up seven runs and eight hits over 5 1-3 innings against the Giants. "He threw the ball well at times and had trouble locating the ball at other times," Texas manager Jerry Narron said. "He made a couple of mistakes and they took advantage of it." Kent got a two-run double in the fifth on a low liner through the right side of the infield that pulled the Giants within 6-5. Bonds, who had walked, had to leap into the air to avoid Kent's hit while running from first base. The ball then got past right fielder Ricky Ledee, who stepped the wrong way when the ball just skimmed past Bonds. Texas led 3-0 in the first after Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run double and scored on a groundout by Ivan Rodriguez. Frank Catalanotto and Randy Velarde led off with consecutive singles. Shawn Dunston tied the game with a three-run homer, his fourth, in the second. After Kent's leadoff single, Eric Davis reached on a fielder's choice when second baseman Velarde dropped a throw that could have started a double play. Alex Rodriguez broke the tie with a solo homer, his 26th, in the third. Velarde had a two-run double in the fourth to put Texas up 6-3 before Rodriguez struck out with two runners on base. Athletics 6, Rockies 3 Jason Giambi homered and hit an RBI single to lead Oakland to its sixth victory in seven games. Luis Vizcaino, promoted from the minors earlier in the day, struck out two for his first career save. Larry Walker hit his 28th homer. It was his 200th with Colorado and the 299th of his career. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing